Brother Dao’s Exit and Subsequent Events

“Dong dong dong dong!” The drum of injustice echoed outside the county yamen.

The county magistrate, with nothing important to attend to, quickly ascended the court upon hearing a brief summary from the yamen runners about the case involving a certain Boss Jing and Yi. As soon as he heard the names, he wasted no time in ascending the court.

This case was practically a gift for trial, with witnesses, testimonies, and even damning confessions. Moreover, there was a connection with the Huangs, who held some sway in Qingzhou Prefecture. Therefore, the county magistrate didn’t prolong the proceedings unnecessarily.

When he saw the extensive list of charges, he became even more excited. Knowing that resolving this case would be a significant accomplishment, it might even help him move up the ranks slightly next year.

However, as the trial progressed, Brother Dao, unable to bear the situation, revealed the involvement of the Liu family. The county magistrate was inwardly alarmed and looked at Jing Yi. Seeing that Jing Yi showed no intention of implicating the Liu family, he breathed a sigh of relief, happy that they had some sense.

Jing’s family saved him from trouble, and the county magistrate reciprocated by saving face. The verdict was swift and harsh. Under the laws of the Da Yuan Dynasty, theft with evidence was a straightforward conviction. Accumulating all the charges, Brother Dao would have to mine in the frigid north for a lifetime.

In the end, Brother Dao received fifty strokes and was exiled to the harsh northern lands for life. The other henchmen received twenty strokes each and faced a similar fate. Additionally, they were sentenced to twenty years of exile.

The house Brother Dao bought, the large courtyard in the western part of town, and the one hundred and sixty taels of silver he found in Man Hong’s house were all returned to the rightful owners, as indicated in the confession.

In the courtroom, the county magistrate’s prestige and popularity soared. The county magistrate, although somewhat corrupt, understood the importance of big cases. Cutting through the chaos with swift judgments and imposing the harshest penalties, the magistrate earned accolades. Following the combined penalties, Brother Dao and his men had no chance of returning to society. The public and the victims alike were satisfied.

In the end, Jing Yi also gave some money to the yamen runners, asking them to “take care” of Brother Dao and his men during the escort.

On the journey back to town, the once teary-eyed victims appeared to be relieved. Jing Yi and his companions felt a similar mix of joy and fulfillment. This incident was more than just self-defense; it was a collective effort that left everyone with a unique sense of contentment.

Even the young children attending school understood a bit more about the saying: “When you succeed, benefit the world.”

Unlike the optimistic Xiao An and Dongshan, although Dongjiang was happy, there was always a sense of restraint in his excitement. Now that Brother Dao’s matter was resolved, he couldn’t help but look at Jing Yi.

Seeing Dongjiang’s worried and somewhat resentful eyes, Jing Yi understood without any confusion. He comforted Dongjiang, “There might still be involvement from the main Liu family in this matter. With deep roots and a strong foundation, it’s better not to uproot them completely. Instead, let the enemy relax their guard, bide our time, and then strike decisively.”

Upon hearing this, Dongjiang’s eyes lit up, and he nodded firmly.

Back at home, they faced various inquiries, some filled with concern, others probing. Jing Yi delegated the task of responding to these interactions to his younger brothers. Following Jing Yi’s instructions, they recounted the misdeeds of Brother Dao and his gang, leaving out only those actions that could tarnish the reputation of the gers and women.

The news of Brother Dao’s downfall and the subsequent relief brought a sense of unity among those who had suffered from his actions. The focus shifted away from the Jing family. However, the involvement of the Liu family remained undisclosed for now. It was crucial not to startle the snake in the grass, and even if the testimonies reached the Liu family, they would likely interpret it as Jing Yi fearing them, leading to a relaxation of their guard.

Leaving the ongoing developments in Jing’s control, he chose not to intervene directly. Still, he kept an eye on things, periodically having his people inquire about the situation with the Liu family.

Time swiftly passed, reaching early August. Chen Jiawen had returned home a couple of days earlier to recuperate. On the second day of his return, Jing Yi, accompanied by Chuxia and Xiao An, visited him. They apologized to his mother and grandmother, acknowledging that the incident was caused by the Jing family, resulting in undeserved misfortune for their family.

Jing Yi not only covered all the medical expenses but also compensated Chen’s family with an additional twenty taels of silver. He urged them not to worry about money during Jiawen’s recovery, insisting they spend generously on his well-being.

“Boss Jing, this can’t be accepted. Xiao Wen has always spoken highly of you, saying how much you’ve helped us. He made a mistake this time, blindly following bad people. Usually, he’s smart, but when it mattered, he faltered!”

Mother Chen, Jiawen’s mother, had a loud voice and was a talkative person. She was kind-hearted and deeply attached to family. Earlier that year, Jiawen’s father fell seriously ill, and despite his reluctance to continue treatment, she persisted in seeking medical advice. Unfortunately, Jiawen’s father did not recover.

After the family’s pillar was gone, relatives from Jiawen’s uncle’s side repeatedly urged his sister (Jiawen’s mother) to abandon her mother-in-law and child, remarrying instead. At her age, still in her thirties with lingering charm, she could potentially secure a hefty dowry from her natal family.

In the end, Jiawen’s mother decided to leave with Jiawen, severing ties with her natal family. She did so resolutely, showing great strength.

“Madam Chen, Jiawen is a good-hearted and capable young man. He is my younger brothers’ classmate, and we treat him like a younger brother. Due to my misfortune, he suffered. As an elder brother, I couldn’t stand idly by.” Jing Yi explained.

“Yes, Madam Chen, please don’t be too polite. This is our sincere gift. If you and Grandma can understand and accept it, we would be very grateful,” Chuxia added.

“Why blame you? You are all good children,” Jiawen’s grandmother, a gentle lady, patted Chuxia’s hand and spoke warmly.

Now, the few people who had helped Chen’s family were deeply remembered, and they hoped to repay the kindness in the future.

After some reluctance, Jing Yi forcefully handed the money to Jiawen, urging him not to let his mother and grandmother be troubled. Eventually, the young man accepted the money, and both parties were satisfied.

“Big Brother Jing! Consider this money a loan from me to you! I won’t continue my private studies after the twelfth month. Next year, can I work at your shop to earn money and repay you?” Chen Jiawen eagerly proposed.

Jing Yi playfully patted his shoulder and said, “You think too much! What borrowing and repaying? I was actually planning to discuss this after you finish your private studies. If you decide not to continue with private studies and are willing to engage in business, come find me. Big Brother Jing truly needs talents like you.”

“Alright!”

Exiting Chen Jiawen’s house, Jing Yi, along with the other two, turned right toward Qingfeng Academy, requesting a ten-day leave for Jiawen. Doctor Cen from the clinic had mentioned that Jiawen could resume his studies at the academy in ten days, as long as he avoided exertion.

Jing Yi initially intended to personally request leave from the academy director as a sign of respect. However, the academy director unexpectedly visited and left the academy quickly today. The duty teachers assured Jing Yi that they would convey the message.

Regrettably, Jing Yi had to leave, missing the chance to witness the grandeur of this hidden powerhouse. That night, the small team from Ice Nectar Pavillion gathered for a meal in the backyard’s meeting hall of the hot pot restaurant. Although they were reluctant to part ways, the youngsters understood their immediate priorities.

After dinner, everyone retired to rest. As Jing Yi pushed open the door to their room, he sensed something amiss. Quickly, he ushered Chuxia out, instructing him to wait in the main hall.

Jing Yi cautiously examined the room and soon discovered the discrepancy: his desk, near the back window, showed slight adjustments in the positions of the pen holder and the two brushes placed on the inkstone.

Alert and cautious, Jing Yi approached for a closer inspection. While the inkstone and brushes appeared untouched, a neatly folded piece of paper rested inside the pen holder.

Observing the smooth, dry surface of the paper, Jing Yi decided to open it facing away from him, flipping it over only after a five-second delay to minimize any potential foul play.

The note was concise—a willow tree leaning against a tall house, five snakes enshrined inside the house. At the bottom, a crooked “wait” character.

Pondering the message, Jing Yi considered the possibility that the force behind the Liu family was related to the Fifth Prince. If a prince supported them, it explained their audacity. He realized that even if the Liu family had discovered the Jing family’s business dealings, it wouldn’t deter them if they had a royal backing.

However, he refrained from hastily concluding whether this hidden force was an enemy or an ally. Since the Liu family matters needed to be temporarily set aside, he decided to stay vigilant for the time being. The note hinted at a looming threat, but he would bide his time for a strategic counterattack.

About to keep the note and summon Chuxia to the main hall, Jing Yi caught a faint scent of ink in the air—Hui ink, the finest quality from Hui Prefecture!

Since Jing’s younger brothers began their studies, Jing Yi and Chuxia brought back high-quality writing materials each time they visited Qingzhou Prefecture. Jing Yi recalled seeing treasures in Qingzhou, among them, a premium ink named Cang Lan. This exquisite fragrance matched that ink.

Thinking to himself, “I’ll remember you,” Jing Yi realized that there weren’t many people in this town willing and able to use Cang Lan ink casually.